Unquiet
Things

Here we are again! I told Yvan I didn’t think I wanted to do 31 Days of Horror this year, and he asked me why not. I guess the answer is because maybe I just want to watch a thing or two without thinking about 1. how to write about it and 2. how to write about it in a way that doesn’t make me sound like an idiot! It’s the eternal struggle!

But this IS my October ritual, dangit! I look forward to it, I’ve got to do it! Don’t I?

The truth is, there’s something comforting about this yearly tradition. Even when I’m dragging my feet at the start, I know I’ll end up enjoying most of it. It’s a way to mark the changing of the seasons, a personal ritual that ushers in the darker half of the year. There’s a certain magic in dedicating an entire month to exploring the shadows, whether through film, literature, or other forms of art.

It’s a challenge, no doubt. Even working from home, balancing work deadlines, household chores, and the general chaos of life with a daily horror commitment is no small feat. Some nights, I’m squinting at a book or screen way past my bedtime, knowing full well I’ll be regretting it during tomorrow’s video catch-up call at work. Other days, I’m sneaking in a horror podcast while I am folding socks and dish towels. And this year? Hoo boy. All of Yvan’s brothers are in town for a month full of birthdays. All those dinners, gatherings, and celebrations are definitely going to cut into my precious horror time. I can already see myself trying to speed-read a spooky novel under the table during Sunday dinner or sneaking off to the bathroom to finish a short horror film on my phone while I have a quick wee.

Despite the challenges, by the end of the month, I’m always glad I did it. This tradition has become a sort of cinematic harvest for me. Throughout the year, I find myself setting aside films, almost hoarding them for this occasion, like I’m curating my own personal horror film festival, saving up the most intriguing, bizarre, or promising titles for October. There’s a special thrill in finally watching something I’ve been eyeing for months (or even years–seeing as how some films get passed over year after year and never get crossed off the list until several Octobers later!) This concentrated dose of horror allows me to look for trends in the genre, compare different directorial styles, and notice how themes evolve over time. It’s become a way to connect with other horror enthusiasts, too, sharing recommendations and dissecting our favorite scares. Ultimately, I think there’s something satisfying about immersing myself in horror for a full month, seeing the myriad ways different creators approach fear and unease. And yeah, I know there are always those people who are like, “Pfft…31 days? That’s amateur hour, baby. Me, I am all-horror, all the time.” Well ok that’s great, you’re really special.

But for me, this annual tradition is about concentrated immersion. It’s a horror binge, if you will. Sure, it’s a huge quantity in a short time, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s about carving out a specific time to focus intensely on a genre I love, pushing myself to consume more horror in a month than I might in the rest of the year combined. It’s about the anticipation, the careful selection, and yes, even the challenge of fitting it all in alongside real life. These 31 days are a whirlwind tour through the landscape of horror, from classic haunts to new nightmares. It’s intense, it’s exhausting, and it’s exhilarating

Logistically, planning a month’s worth of frights is an interesting exercise. If you’re curious, you can see a screenshot of my annually updated Notion page in the featured image of this post – it’s kind of like an aspirational horror mood board. It’s also the only time I ever use Notion, ha! Anyway, the list is a mix of newish releases like The First Omen and Immaculate, alongside some older cult classics like Messiah of Evil and Vampire and the Ballerina. There’s also a handful of extremely very recent titles that I desperately intrigued by and dying to check out: Cuckoo, Strange Darling, and Longlegs, to name a few.

But the thing about this list is that it’s more of a suggestion to myself than a strict plan. I’m a reader at heart, and getting myself to sit down and watch a movie – any movie, horror or otherwise – requires a certain mood. Some days, I might be up for cosmic horror, others for a classic slasher, and some days, I might not be able to face a screen at all and opt for a creepy novel instead.

There’s a bit of a push and pull with this approach. The list represents my commitment to this annual tradition, a promise I’ve made to myself to dive deep into the horror genre for a full month. It’s not about broadening horizons – I’d like to think I’m pretty open-minded when it comes to horror already. It’s more about intentionally over-indulging in something I love, while also challenging myself to stick to a daily practice that isn’t always my go-to medium. It’s like I’ve laid out this horror buffet menu for myself, and while I’m excited to sample from it, I also know that some days I might crave the comfort of a horror novel instead of a film.

Whether I end up following this list or completely veering off course, the goal is to immerse myself in horror, honor this personal tradition, and hopefully discover some new favorites along the way – be they on screen, page, or even through other senses. After all, why should our eyes and ears have all the fun? There might be a spooky knit or a horror-themed perfume in the mix too.

 

So, what’s on the menu for Day One? Well, we’re starting with Oddity…but I have a confession to make. I actually watched this one a few weeks ago. Author Gemma Files mentioned it on Facebook, and my curiosity got the better of me. So much for all my talk of commitment and tradition, right? But when one of your favorite horror authors dangles a promising film in front of you, sometimes you just have to bend your own rules a bit.

Oddity centers on Darcy, a blind medium who arrives at a remote Irish country house a year after her twin sister Dani’s murder. Darcy is convinced there’s more to her sister’s death than the official story of an escaped mental patient. Darcy has the coolest job ever, running a little occult/antique/oddities shop, and on this visit, she brings with her a little something she has ostensibly picked up in her line of work: an exceedingly strange and creepy life-sized screaming wooden mannequin. The house is now occupied by Dani’s widower, Ted, and his new girlfriend, Yana, and neither was expecting company in the form of Darcy or her terrifying companion.  Ted must leave for his work that evening at the local mental hospital and leaves Yana alone in the home with Darcy, and it’s all just very uncomfortable. The longer Darcy sticks around, the more tense and dreadful the atmosphere grows, with the wooden mannequin taking on an unsettling presence of its own.

The mounting dread in Oddity is palpable and permeates the whole film. McCarthy uses the isolated setting and that eerie wooden figure to great effect, ratcheting up the tension with each scene. Carolyn Bracken really shines in her dual role as Darcy and Dani. She brings such distinct personalities to each twin that you almost forget it’s the same actress. The story unfolds at a steady clip, peeling back layers of the mystery bit by bit. As the truth behind Dani’s death and Darcy’s investigation comes to light, there are plot reveals that are both heartbreaking and infuriating. Without giving too much away, the revelation of betrayal and the cost of seeking the truth left me gut-punched and emotionally drained.

…and excited for more, because that was an excellent film and a solid start to 31 Days of Horror!

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